Quick Start
Here are some suggestions for connecting the Grenadier RA-99 to other analog equipment in the music studio.
RA-99 uses the 1 volt per octave tuning standard (not V/Hz). Its Gate inputs interpret >2.5 volts as Gate On, and < 2.5 volts as Gate Off.
Nominal Gate input is 5 volts, but there is no harm in connecting a 10 volt gate input.
Connection to a sequencer
Connection to a keyboard controller
Connection to a computer
Connection to a modular
Patch the sequencer’s V/OCT output to RA-99’s 1V/OCT. Patch the sequencer’s GATE output to RA-99’s MOD1 GATE IN.
A sequencer’s ACCENT GATE output is not directly supported, but you can experiment by connecting it to ALPHA CV, BETA CV, TIMBRE CV,
or FILTER CV. Or, connect ACCENT GATE to MOD2 GATE IN. Then the second envelope generator will trigger just for accented notes.
If you have two analog sequencers, or a 2-track sequencer, try using both of RA-99’s 1V/OCT inputs simultaneously. This greatly expands the
musical possibilities. For example, one sequencer could play a fast octave arpeggio while the other transposes the root note.
Patch your analog key controller’s V/OCT output to RA-99’s 1V/OCT. Patch the keyboard’s GATE output to RA-99’s MOD1 GATE IN.
If the key controller has Velocity Out, you can experiment patching it to RATE CV, ALPHA, BETA, TIMBRE, FILTER, or NOISE CV.
You can also use any MIDI keyboard to play the Grenadier, but this requires a MIDI-to-CV converter. See
Connection to a Computer
below.
You can play the Grenadier RA-99 with DAW software on a computer. A MIDI-to-CV converter is required.
Remember, the Grenadier is a monophonic instrument, which means it only sounds one note at a time. It can’t play chords.
Patch the MIDI-to-CV’s V/OCT output to RA-99’s 1V/OCT. Patch the MIDI-to-CV’s GATE output to RA-99’s MOD1 GATE IN.
Experiment with patching any auxilliary outputs of the MIDI-to-CV converter (Velocity, Wheel, Bender) to the various CV inputs on the Grenadier.
If your MIDI-to-CV converter has multiple channels, try using both of Grenadier’s 1V/OCT inputs simultaneously to expand your compositions.
Grenadier RA-99 is generally compatible with Eurorack style equipment.
There are many options ... have fun. Remember, the more patch cables you use, the better it sounds!
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Standalone operation
Grendel RA-99 Grenadier can be played manually for sound effects and drone tones without connecting a sequencer or keyboard.
You’ll need a handful of patch cables to get started.
Self-patching MOD GATE OUT to the other MOD GATE IN and using the LFO switches allows its envelope to re-trigger.
You can also patch SUB OUT to GATE IN to self-trigger the modulation generators.